SLBFE Projects to Send 340,000 Workers Abroad in 2025

In his address, the Bureau's General Manager, Mr. D.D.P. Senanayake, revealed that migrant worker remittances are expected to reach 7 billion US dollars in 2025. The figure marks a significant growth from the 6.51 billion US dollars in remittances recorded in 2024, when approximately 314,000 Sri Lankans sought employment overseas.

Mr. Senanayake also shared that, of the 2024 workers, 65% were employed in professional roles, while 35% took on minimum professional jobs. Looking ahead to 2025, the Bureau plans to shift the balance, aiming for 75% of workers to secure professional jobs and 25% to be employed in minimum professional roles.

The Bureau's strategy for 2025 includes sending workers to key destinations: 84,000 to Kuwait, 55,000 to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and 52,000 to Saudi Arabia. Additionally, 15,900 workers will be dispatched to Israel, 9,000 to Japan, and 8,000 to South Korea through direct employment referrals by the Bureau.

With these ambitious goals, the SLBFE hopes to contribute significantly to the nation's foreign exchange earnings while offering enhanced employment opportunities for Sri Lankans abroad.